Egypt tastes first win in the championship after stunning Tunisia in an exhausting revenge match

Egypt celebrate its first win in the championship after beating Tunisia in the 15th-16th play-off

Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, July 12, 2009 – Egypt clinched the 15th place in the championship after overpowering Tunisia, the team they lost in the final showdown of the African Championship, in a grueling hard-fought five-set 25-21 18-25 21-25 25-16 15-9 encounter. Both Egypt and Tunisia started well with the similar standard. As Egypt came up with powerful attack hits at the net, Tunisia toughened up their defence. It never had the lead initially in the first set which saw both sides try hard to capture the pole position. Egypt fared better at the end of the set after Tunisia became more prone with reception and serving. Egypt clinched the first set 25-21. Going down one set, Tunisia improved their tactics, with captain Maroua Boughanmi spiking spectacularly at the net. Leading 13-7, Tunisia found their touch to go on their aggression and comfortably win the set 25-18. The third set was more thrilling as Egypt put their acts together. Yasmin Hussein producing sharp spikes, forcing the rivals from the same continents to strike back. However, the Tunisian girls just played cool with more determination to win the hard-fought set 25-21. The fourth set turned out to be an easy battle as Egypt fought hard to take the set 25-16. The Egyptians stormed on with their great form to capture the deciding set 15-9 and the 15th place.